An Empowerment Approach to Media

Next time you see something in the media that bothers you about how violence and self-defense are portrayed, ask yourself these questions to help you pinpoint what the problems are.

Social Context

___Does the text and/or subtext communicate the social context of violence and/or self-defense?For example:

●        The reality of violence—who, what, where, when, why?

●        The reality of inequalities (e.g. gender, class, disability, race, sexual orientation) in experiences of  violence?                

●        Violence as socially-produced rather than natural and inevitable

Accountability of Perpetrators

___Does the text and/or subtext communicate that perpetrators, not victims, are responsible for violence? For example does the text make it clear that:

●        Victims of violence do not ask for, cause, invite, or deserve to be assaulted?

●        Attackers’ use of grooming, manipulation, intimidation, or force is their responsibility?

●        Victims’ words and behavior are not being judged?

●         Learning new skills or regretting one’s own actions does not mean responsibility for violence?

Embodiment of power and competence

____Does the text and/or subtext communicate that embodiment is foundational to women’s empowerment? For example:

●        The worth of people’s bodies, regardless of gender, disability, race, social class, sexual orientation, etc.

●        The importance of bodily integrity and people’s right to make decisions about how their own bodies are treated

●        Developing respect for and loving one’s own body

●        Self-defense is reclaiming one own’s body

●        Finding the power and competence in one’s own body

●        Physical self-defense is stance, breath, body language, escaping, strikes, kicks

Comprehensive Self-Defense Toolbox

___Does the text and/or subtext communicate that self-defense is a range of tools. For example,

●        Knowledge of risks of violence

●        Recognizing danger signals

●        A continuum of verbal skills, including de-escalation, assertiveness, confrontation

●        Projecting consistency in body language and verbal content

●        Leaving unsafe situations

●        Speaking out against violence

●        Strikes and kicks are tools of last resort

Checklist from  Martha Thompson, IMPACT Chicago, and Alena Schaim, IMPACT Personal Safety New Mexico, "Media Portrayals of Violence and Implications for Self-Defense," National Women's Martial Arts Federation Self-Defense Instruction Conference.